Gender-creative, transgender children welcomed at Greenfield's Center School
By MARY C. SERREZE
Republican Staff
06/05/2015
GREENFIELD -- A private day school in Franklin County has created a welcoming place for transgender, gender-creative, or gender non-conforming children and families.
The Center School at 71 Montague City Road in Greenfield, which educates children from preschool through eighth grade, has announced the establishment of its first-ever scholarship for such children and their families.
"Our school has a social justice mission," said Charlie Spencer, the head of school. "And we were increasingly concerned about the high rate of suicide among gender non-conforming kids."
Donors to the scholarship fund were inspired by the way the school handled the "transitioning" of a elementary school child within its community, she said.
"She had the anatomy of a boy, but felt like a girl in her heart," said Spencer. "She wanted to be able live that out." With the help of family, a therapist, teachers, and peers, said Spencer, the girl "came out" to her school community.
The school has taken other steps -- such as making its bathrooms all-gender -- that are designed to foster an equitable community. Other schools have contacted The Center School to learn how to become more welcoming and inclusive, she said.
"It's not just about us," said Spencer. "And it's not affecting only one child."
Spencer said the story of Caitlyn Jenner -- formerly known as the Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner -- has prompted many to reflect on the pain and isolation felt by transgender people in the past. A new generation feels greater empathy and compassion for those struggling with their gender identity, she said.
The Raising Rainbows scholarship was inspired by Lori Duron's book "Raising my Rainbow," a mother's tale of raising a gender-creative child. The scholarship is modest at this point, in the amount of around $1,000 toward tuition that ranges from $13,000 to $15,800. Those who support the scholarship's mission are being encouraged to make a contribution to the fund."We want so much for children to feel that they can be who they really are, and to feel safe doing it," said Spencer.
Families interested in The Center School, which offers "rigorous education for deep thinkers and creative spirits," are encouraged to contact admissions director Jane Stephenson.
The issue of transgender children and teens is now being addressed in a number of different contexts. For instance, the City of New York's Administration for Children's Services released released a guide entitled "Safe and Respected," a best practices manual for transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) youth in the juvenile justice system.
In 2013, the Massachusetts Department of Education issued a directive for schools in the handling of transgender students, including allowing them to use whichever restroom they choose.
"A student who says she is a girl and wishes to be regarded that way throughout the school day and throughout every, or almost every, other area of her life, should be respected and treated like a girl," the directive instructs.
Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com
